The PenExplorer is the application your Pen uses to communicate with the PC.

Use the PenExplorer for:

1. File management: Copy files to and from the Notes application on the Pen.

2. Compacting flash memory: Compact the Pen flash card. The PenExplorer runs in the background when using the Scan to PC application.

 

Installing the PenExplorer and USB driver

Install the PenExplorer from the CD you received with the Pen. The installation also installs the USB driver needed for Pen-PC communications.

The PenExplorer installs to the Program Files folder on your computer. After installation, the PenExplorer process, PenService.exe, runs in the background in wait mode. It only becomes active when Pen-PC Communications areestablished and can be seen in the Processes tab of the Windows Task Manager.

 

Pen Explorer Modes

The PenExplorer icon appears in the notification area of the Windows taskbar when the PenExplorer is activated.

 

The icon has two modes:

•    Scan to PC
•    File Transfer

 

Scan to PC Mode

Scan to PC Mode is activated when Pen-PC communications are established after entering the Scan to PC application on the Pen. The Scan to PC Mode icon  appears in the notification area of the Windows taskbar. Right-click on the taskbar icon to open the taskbar menu. The Scan to PC settings in the PenExplorer determine what key is inserted after each line of text is sent to the PC application. The default setting is Space, meaning that a space is inserted after each scan appears in the application.

Taskbar options for Scan to PC mode

 

The taskbar menu has the following options:

1.  Separator Characters: Allows you to determine what key is inserted after each line of text is sent to the PC. There are four options: Space, Tab, New Line and None. Click on the option you would like to use to change the setting.

2.  About: Opens the PenExplorer Properties window in the About tab. Displays version and copyright information for the PenExplorer.

 

File Transfer Mode

File Transfer Mode is activated when Pen-PC communications are established using Connect to PC in the Pen Main Menu. It is used for file transfer between the Pen and PC and to compact the pen’s flash memory. Right- click on the taskbar icon to open the taskbar menu.

The PenExplorer File Transfer icon  appears in the notification area of the Windows taskbar. Click on the icon to open the PenExplorer window.

 

Taskbar options for File Transfer mode

The taskbar menu has the following options:

 

1.  Open PenExplorer: Opens the PenExplorer window.

2.  About: Opens the PenExplorer Properties window in the About tab. Displays version and copyright information for the PenExplorer.

 

The PenExplorer Window

The Pen Explorer Window is seen when File Transfer

Mode is activated. It is used when transferring files between the Pen and PC. When File Transfer Mode is activated the PenExplorer window is seen on screen.

 

Opening the PenExplorer Window

To open the PenExplorer window:

1. Turn the Pen on.

2. Connect the Pen to the PC using the USB cable.

3. Select Connect to PC from the Pen Main Menu.

The PenExplorer File Transfer icon  will appear in the Windows taskbar and the PenExplorer window will open on screen.

PenExplorer Properties Window

Right-click on an empty space in the main PenExplorer window. Select Properties from the drop-down menu. This will open the WizCom PenExplorer Properties window.

 

The PenExplorer Properties window has two tabs:

1.  General:       

a. Shows the Pen’s memory status and gives you the option to compact the flash card memory.

b. Allows you to choose the language for transferring files from the PC to your Pen.

 

2.  About: Displays version and copyright information for the PenExplorer.

Compacting Flash Memory

The Pen’s flash memory is used to store Pen files. The flash memory should be compacted manually every once in a while, especially after deleting many files from the Pen. This will speed up Pen performance for future file transfers.

 

To access the Compact function:

1.  Right-click on a space in the main PenExplorer window and select Properties from the drop-down menu to reach the General tab.

2.  Click on the Compact button to activate the compact function. If the memory requires compacting, the Compacting message will appear. Do not disconnect the Pen until the message disappears

 

The Notes Folder

The Notes folder contains all files saved on the Pen or copied to the Pen.

Double-click on the Notes folder in the PenExplorer window to open the folder. Double click on a file to open the file in Notepad.

 

File Management

1.  Files that can be copied to the Pen

You can only copy specific files to the Pen:

a. Only files with a *.txt extension (plain text files) can be transferred to the Pen.

b. Files must be saved as UNICODE.

c. File names must be in English and should be less than 8 characters long. File names that are longer than 8 characters, or that contain non-ABC characters will be renamed when they are transferred to the PenExplorer.

 

2.  Saving files in the correct format

Files must be saved as plain text files and in UNICODE.

 

From Notepad:

1. Go to File\Save As. Insert a file name.

2. Make sure file type is Text Documents (*.txt).

3. Change encoding to Unicode and click the Save button.

From Word:

1. Go to File\Save As. Insert a file name.

2. Change the file type to Plain Text (*.txt) and click the Save button.

3. The File Conversion dialog box appears. Select Other encoding. Scroll through the list and select Unicode.

4. Click the OK button.

 

3.  Choosing the language for File Transfer

To transfer files in different languages to the Pen, you must first set the PenExplorer to the correct file transfer language.

If you do not set the correct language, the file will not appear correctly on the Pen.

 

To set the file transfer language:

 

1. Open the WizCom PenExplorer Properties window.

2. Go to Set language for file transfer from PC and choose the language of the file you want to transfer from the drop-down list.

3. Click on the Apply button to save your choice.

 

Note: You will need to change the file language for each language you transfer.

 

4.  Copying Files to and from the Pen

The PenExplorer/Notes folder works like standard Windows folders. Copy files to and from the Notes folder using standard Windows functions, such as drag- and-drop, copy-paste and using the PC shortcut keys. Click on a file in the Notes window to highlight it. Right- click to open the drop-down menu and select the function you wish to use.